Wednesday, January 25, 2017

A Little Excitement

These grey windy days of winter sure don't give you much to cheer about in the garden. Right now I could cheer because I have a bit of excitement in the living room. 
As I was spraying the Staghorn Fern today I noticed another bit of color and form on the tree limb I have the Staghorn mounted on. Peek through there. Do you see it?

Yes. Yes that is it. The little Phalaenopsis that I attached to the limb has a bloom! What a brave little bloom.
Let us go around to the lit side of this and have a look. 
Awww, isn't it pretty? It is a different color than my other ones. It is also as I say a small one. It seems happy as a clam here. It has another bloom stalk and several more buds. I can't wait until they open. 
If you enbiggen the following photo you can see how this little orchid is reaching around the limb with one of it's roots to hold on. 
Can't really see it?  Here let me take you closer. You can also see the piece of twine that I used to tie it onto the limb. I will let it rot off. It will be gone by next winter.
I will show you the other side as well.  Two big new roots clinging.
While I was in Key West, Fl a couple of years ago I  saw orchids growing on trees. I just had to try this myself. It WORKS!   
I would love to put all of my orchids onto a limb. They naturally hang down though. I would have to put a tall limb into a pot so I could easily see the blooms. 
You can also see in this photo that the Staghorn Fern is responding to longer days. We might not be able to tell the days are getting much longer but the plants know. 
Is anything exciting happening with your house plants?

30 comments:

  1. A blossom!! In January! And it has wonderful colors and markings! <3

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    1. Yes. All this success makes me want to try to grow one of the more difficult to grow orchids. Hmmmmmm

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  2. My orchid put out a bloom stem when I wasn't looking. Benign neglect is the way to go. My geraniums, however, are being decimated by something I can't actually see with these aging eye.

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  3. It's beautiful. The fern likewise looks very healthy. Lovely!

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    1. It is a challenge to keep this fern during winter.

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  4. Beautiful Lisa, well done you. Doesn't if feel great when things go to plan.

    My money plant is flowering in the conservatory, wonderful scent. Unusual at this time of year. Usually flowers in April........

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. It does feel good to think the plant is happy enough to bloom. Hmmm. I wonder if your money plant is the same as what I am thinking about?? I love plants with scent.

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  5. I would never have thought to try growing an orchid on a limb--how cool! I haven't seen any sign of a bloom on my little orchid; the taller one I had for two years finally died from severe neglect:(

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  6. That's amazing - and such beautiful markings! Very well done - and well done for keeping the gorgeous fern going.

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  7. That IS exciting! You are a pro with indoor plants! I haven't had an orchid in years, but you've convinced me to go get one. Beautiful!

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    1. Hi Beth,
      You should try them again. They are quite tough and I know they like the Northern light. My BIL that lives in Ann Arbor has scads of them which is what got me interested in them. I am going to try one of the more finiky ones as soon as I find one I like. Of course I like them all but I want to see one in bloom. Phalaenopsis which is what I have are all easy which is probably why you see them sold everywhere. Ha.

      Good luck, Lisa

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  8. Oh how wonderful! You must get so much enjoyment from your Staghorn Fern and now your orchids! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!

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  9. Hi Lisa
    Sorry to bother you here but I sent emails to you on the 23rd, 28th and yesterday.
    They were not returned to me so I am hoping all is well.
    I wonder did you receive them??

    Hope you had a good weekend
    Cheryl

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    1. You are never a bother Cheryl. I wish your emails would come through. All is well and as good as can be here. Try again or send one to Gary to see if it comes through.

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    2. Have resent all emails and one to Gary ??

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    3. No emails here for me or Gary. Gary is writing to you to see if his goes through. I have also sent an email. Did ours go to you?

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  10. Lisa girl that is AMAZING !! Well done YOU !
    What a sweet little orchid .. so pretty! .. That is such a natural habitat for them so this little one is a HAPPY camper for sure when it is blooming lie that.
    I am a fan of that staghorn fern as it is but to have this happening as well with it .. such a treat !
    Hey .. we have noticed a light change here .. 5 PM is lighter and the morning is too .. so the change is happening, it just takes "time" LOL
    Take care !
    Joy : )

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  11. What a gorgeous little blooming orchid ~ is exciting ~ and love how you used the driftwood or wood to attach the blooms ~ so creative ~ thanks,

    Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful week ~ ^_^

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  12. Color! You have color to look at. It's really cool.

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  13. I meant to ask: do you have grow lights for your orchids?

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    1. Hi Christine, no I don't have grow lights. They get what ever light that comes through the window. My SIL that has even better luck with her orchids than I has hers in an East facing window. The roads here don't run east and west so my windows are cockeyed.

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  14. That little orchid flower is absolutely perfect! Love it. Also love the way you are growing it on the log, as it looks so natural. Stagshorn is a favourite of mine, but I have to overwinter it in the greenhouse here in the uk. It doesn't look half so perky as yours!!

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    1. Oh Jane, I wish I had your greenhouse. This Staghorn rig takes up a good portion of one end of our livingroom.

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  15. Success and fun! Good job! Wow, your orchid is very happy! So exciting! I just bought my first orchid and it is not happy but I'm going to stick it out. They are confusing for me to grow.

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  16. Good going on both! It looks natural--what a great way to grow them. I've never tried staghorn fern; you must be providing the right conditions.

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